Camp roster finalized: Hello, Bobby Simmons

The Spurs have released their finalized training camp roster, although there’s a good chance even the “finalized” version isn’t final.

The most intriguing name on the list is Bobby Simmons. He is intriguing because A) he’s got eight seasons of NBA experience on his resume; and B) He plays a position (small forward) at which the Spurs are alarmingly thin.

Even though he appeared in only 23 games last season for a 12-win New Jersey team, Simmons stands an excellent chance of making the final roster. The Spurs are not prepared to enter the season without a proven wing defender, and the 30-year-old Simmons is the closet thing on the camp roster to it.

Other players officially added to the roster Monday are forward James Gist, center Marcus Cousin and guard Thomas Gardner. With only 11 players under guaranteed contract, odds of any of the above making the 15-man roster are higher than in camps past.

One name not yet on the camp roster, but expected to be added within the week, is Kirk Penney. The 30-year-old sharpshooter from New Zealand is in San Antonio while clearing up a few outstanding contractual issues with FIBA.